Eagle Creek Resident Bio: Paula Conrad

Interview conducted March 26, 1910, by Sarah Conrad

(Paula Conrad is Sarah's mother.) 1. Name: Paula Constance Scotia Conrad

2. Date of Birth: July 26, 18(none of your concern)

3. Place of Birth: Lewiston, Montana

4. Parents: Randolf and Jenny Scotia

5. Siblings: Older sister Judy

6. Describe your childhood. I grew up in a small town. I always despised my dull upbringing and dreamed of the big city.

7. What did you enjoy doing as a child? Pretending I was Lady Guinevere.

8. What is your earliest memory? Being pushed off a porch by my big sister. We were both running around, she still claims she ran into me.

9. How old were you when you went on your first date and where did you go? 15, a long walk in the park.

10. Married? Most agreeably. June 21, 1885.

11. How did you meet your spouse? He was a customer where I worked as a waitress. I took his order and then told the cook, "That's the man I'm going to marry."

12. Children: Martin Philemon (1888-), Robert Michael (1890-), Sarah Marie (1894-)

13. Grandchildren: In August, Martin and Gladys adopted twins, Joshua and Stevie (born December 12, 1908) after their parents, friends of Martin and Gladys, died in a fire in River City. Robert's wife, Sherri, is due any day now.

14. Pets? Several horses.

15. Education: Billings Correspondence School. Management certification from Billings Theatre of the Arts.

16. What brought you to Eagle Creek? I went with Michael here on a business trip and simply adored the small town. I convinced him to move out of Billings and start his own branch.

17. Current friends: Jean Clementine, Peggy Watson, Crystal Hines, Joyce Grayson

18. Occupation: Homemaker

19. What was your first job? Waitress, Bluebird Cafe, Billings

20. How much did you make? Room and board plus tips.

21. What did you like to do in your free time? Visit the theatre and take bit parts in plays.

22. What are you doing now? Doing the laundry that my daughter promised to do yesterday.

23. Do you admire a famous person? Sarah Bernhardt

24. What makes them admirable? Her ability to hold an audience in the palm of her hand.

25. What is your favorite food? White chocolate.

26. What is your favorite color? Puce.

27. What is your favorite song? A Modern Major General by Arthur Sullivan.

28. Hobbies: Reading, daydreaming, cooking.

29. Name of the last book you read? Um.... well... I... um...
Mother, was it Romero the Pirate: A Tale of Forbidden Passions by Edith Browling? -SC
No comment. What's the next question?

30. Tell me about a memorable moment in your life; a time you will never forget. Playing dress up my daughter and having a tea party when she was 4.

31. What things do you find yourself doing that you said you'd never do? Do the chores my daughter said she would do.

32. What are the goals you are still working toward? I want all of my children to grow up wise and not make the same mistakes I did.

33. When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered? Pleasant, charitable, affectionate.

34. What is your favorite outdoor activity? Watching the sunset while being held by my husband.

35. Do you attend church or religious services? Eagle Creek Memorial Church.

36. What is your favorite Bible verse? Habakkuk 2:20

37. What makes you happy? Knowing that I did my best.

38. What makes you sad? Losing my temper.

39. What frightens you? Double minded individuals.

40. What is there about you that would surprise people if they found out? What I am about to share with you, Sarah, should be printed in this report and shared with the class, especially Lynn and Emily.

When I was 16, in my junior year of high school, I ran away from home with a boy who promised to marry me. Needless to say, he did not and I was abandoned in Billings after protesting his unwillingness to fulfill a promise of marriage.

I was left penniless, my parents did not know what became of me. After three days of living on the street, I went into a local cafe and begged for food. The owner, Sarah Marie Saddlebrook, took me in. She provided me with room and board, upstairs over the cafe, in exchange for working there. It was at the Bluebird Cafe that I met Michael.

I was most fortunate, but I am no means a role model. Young ladies should look upon my experience with sincere appreciation of the dangers of giving in to foolish urges. Romance is to be fulfilled only with the bonds of holy matrimony.